South Korea’s Enthusiasm for Tech

As one of the most innovative countries in the world, it’s no surprise the tech-savvy population of South Korea has been quick to take to cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology. In fact, the small country makes up around 30 percent of global cryptocurrency trading, despite having a population of little over 51 million.

Now, a report by fintech company Cindicator has stated that the country is going to play an even bigger role in the adoption of cryptocurrencies in the future, partly due to its highly developed cryptocurrency exchange infrastructure and regulatory and taxation framework. The report claims:

These projects and their eventual success are obviously a great indication of what crypto believers in the country feel the new technology could do in the future.

The report states that it is because of exchanges such as Bithumb – the country’s largest – that South Korea ranks so highly worldwide in terms of the sheer volume of trading. As well as the country housing major exchanges such as Upbit, Korbit, and Coinone, it is home to a number of crypto and blockchain projects, which are a “great indication of what crypto believers in the country feel the new technology could do in the future.”

The report notes the many occasions when the announcement of a new altcoin listing on a South Korean exchange saw its value skyrocket. South Koreans have been quick to get involved with crypto because of the desire to reap potentially large profits and an enthusiasm for the technology itself.

Greater Regulation Coming Soon

The South Korean government this week announced it would be taxing cryptocurrencies and initial coin offerings – despite bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies being exempt from capital gains tax since 2013. But the government fully understands the potential of blockchain technology, having recently announced 1 trillion won (USD $880 million) to spend on blockchain development in 2019.

The newly elected mayor of Jeju Island, Won Hee-ryong, who ran on a pro-blockchain and cryptocurrency ticket, provides further evidence to suggest that South Korea will play a pivotal role in advancing global adoption of cryptocurrencies and their underlying technology.

What do you think about the role South Korea will play in the future of global cryptocurrency adoption? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Mathew Di Salvo

A former agency reporter and local news hack, Mathew was thrilled to learn about crypto when he found out it could help him move money abroad – and not get ripped off by banks. He writes for bitcoin.com with a particular focus on banking the unbanked, privacy coins and Latin America.

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